McDonagh and Boylan to return for Tallaght

Sligo Rovers travel to Dublin on Friday night to take on Shamrock Rovers in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division in Tallaght Stadium.

Both sides have had 1-0 wins in the fixtures this season.

In team news, Michael Schlingermann is ruled out with a neck injury.

Jamie McDonagh returns from international duty while Gary Boylan has overcome a foot problem.

The Bit O’ Red were 1-0 winners last time out against Bohemians.

Manager Gerard Lyttle said: “We were obviously solid. You run the risk of conceding at 1-0 and not winning the games. But I felt we were always in control. It was obviously disappointing not to score more goals but we created several chances and that’s important. Goals will come with the players we have and their goalkeeper had a good game on the night. We kept our concentration and that’s vital in the situation we are in.”

“They’re a good team. They are third in the league for a reason and merit the position. It took Dundalk two games and extra-time to just get by them so I think it shows their progression. The games between the teams have been tight this year.”

Vinny Faherty scored the winning goal against Bohs – another goal from a set piece which has been something of a trait for Rovers in recent months.

Lyttle said: “I stated when I came in that it was something we had to improve on. At the time it was due to a lack of attacking options but now we’ve also players that are dangerous in the area and our set piece delivery has improved as well. It’s something to take pride in and we need to keep that going.”

Competition for places increases this week with the return of McDonagh and Boylan and Greg Moorhouse also impressing a substitute. Jack Keaney shone in his first league start last week to further give the manager something to ponder.

“There are three or four really good options to bring off the bench now. Players are doing their best to get in the team in training. Jack didn’t surprise me last week. I wasn’t worried about him to be honest. He’s a confident lad and if you’re good enough you’ll get the chance. He’s grounded and has a bright future. We’ll look at all the options and pick a team to try to win the game.”

While a point would keep Rovers out of the relegation zone, Lyttle said that isn’t the mindset approaching the game.

“We won’t look at it that way. As always we focus on ourselves and our game plan. Our form is good at home and away. The Galway game was the one blip on that but we’ve gone to difficult places and won. We rectified that last week and our own game plan is our priority going into this one.”